Westbrook's Triple-Double Not Enough As OKC Falls In Overtime

Russell Westbrook had his second straight triple-double, but the Thunder still fell to Phoenix in overtime Thursday night, 117-113. 

Friday, February 27th 2015, 1:56 am

By: News 9


Oklahoma City's run of good fortune dried up in the desert early Friday morning, as the Thunder fell to the Phoenix Suns in overtime, 117-113.

Russell Westbrook's layup and foul with 13 seconds left in regulation sent the game to overtime, but Westbrook's layup attempt that would have tied the game in overtime came up short after the Thunder point guard turned an ankle while going in for the shot.

It was a tough loss for the Thunder, considering the physical toll and the fact OKC will face Portland on Friday night. The loss snapped the Thunder's seven-game winning streak, but the only losses in the last 11 games for OKC came on Anthony Davis' miraculous buzzer-beater and Thursday's overtime thriller.

A sensational point guard matchup didn't disappoint, as Eric Bledsoe and Westbrook put on a show of athleticism so good, it should probably be banned on the basketball court. The two players traded amazing play after amazing play. Westbrook logged his second straight triple-double—his fourth of the season, best in the NBA—while Bledsoe came up just one assist short of a triple double of his own.

Westbrook shot poorly all night, finishing just 12-of-38 from the field, but still scored a game-high 39 points while dishing out 11 assists and grabbing 14 rebounds. Bledsoe was much more efficient, hitting 11-of-16 shots for 28 points while grabbing 13 rebounds.

The problem for OKC all night was defense. The Thunder allowed the Suns to shoot 50 percent from the field and consistently found themselves in poor matchups in pick-and-roll situations. Those normally resulted in easy baskets for the Suns, whether it was an open jumper for a big or a blow-by layup for the guards.

Enes Kanter had 18 points for OKC, while Dion Waiters had 16 points off the bench. Serge Ibaka and D.J. Augustin had 13 points each.

All five Phoenix starters scored in double figures, led by Markieff Morris' 29 points. Brandon Knight scored 15 points while Alex Len and P.J. Tucker had 12 points each. Marcus Morris added 11 points off the bench.

The first quarter was particularly hard on the eyes, as the Thunder shot just 21.7 percent from the field and turned the ball over four times. Kanter was the only starter to make a shot, as the other four went a combined 0-for-15. The close nature of the game magnified the Thunder's slow start in the opening quarter.

While the offense finally got going in the second quarter, both teams slacked off immensely on the defensive end. Both teams shot over 50 percent in the second quarter, but the Thunder was kept afloat by the trio of newbies. Kanter, Waiters and Augustin combined to go 11-of-13 for 31 points, alleviating the pressure caused by Westbrook's 2-of-14 strugglefest in the first 24 minutes. OKC went into the locker room, trailing just 53-48.

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